Kennedy Center Votes for Significant Renaming to Trump-Kennedy Performing Arts Center, According to White House Statement.
Image Source
The governing board of the prestigious performing arts venue has approved a measure to change its name the Trump-Kennedy Center, per an announcement by the White House.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced via a post that the board's decision was unanimous, citing "the unbelievable work President Trump has done over the last year in preserving the building."
"This is destined to be a truly great team long into the future! The building will no doubt achieve new levels of grandeur and success," Leavitt added.
The planned renaming is shaping up as extremely contentious, particularly in Washington, D.C., where the center has been an iconic landmark since its completion and christening for President John F. Kennedy.
Recent History of the Venue
Soon after beginning his term, President Donald Trump dismissed all the center's sitting board members and installed allies in their positions. The freshly appointed board later moved to appoint Trump as chairman.
The president later secured approximately $257 million in appropriated money to pay for major renovations and associated costs at the aging venue.
Original Concept
The idea for a Washington-based performing arts center began in the 1950s. Following the murder of President John F. Kennedy, the 35th president, in 1963, the then-under-construction venue was christened the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
This is a developing story. Further context will be added as it becomes available.
